BENGALURU: THE Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has started sending teams of its officials to inspect industries in and around Bidadi of Ramanagara district to prevent them from letting untreated water into Byramangala Lake.
The lake, located 40 km from Bengaluru, is highly polluted. It has been frothing like Bellandur Lake, but unlike the latter, it has not been grabbing eyeballs.
Speaking to The New Indian Express, KSPCB chairman Lakshman said there are more than 5,000 industries in and around Bidadi, and toxic chemicals from Bengaluru too flow into this lake which is part of Vrushabavathi valley.
"After the media highlighted the issue and the villagers complained, teams from KSPCB have started inspecting each industry. They are checking if there is any sewage treatment plants in these industries, and if they have STPs, whether treated water are up to the mark. If not, we are issuing notices to these industries,'' he said. Teams have already inspected 2,300 industries in the last ten days.
Meanwhile, the Minor Irrigation Department has prepared a detailed project report to set up at Sewage Treatment Plant at a cost of `180 crore at the lake bed.
On August 23, The New Indian Express, in a report -- Bengaluru feeds its poison to Bidadi lake, gets back its taste -- highlighted the pathetic state of frothing in the Byramangala lake. The report pointed out that Bengaluru has been dumping its 'poisonous chemicals' into the lake via the Vrushabhavati river.
BDA asks for marshals at Varthur Lake
Bengaluru: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has appealed to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to provide security by deploying marshalls at Varthur Lake on the lines of what has been done at Bellandur Lake. A letter by BDA Commissioner Rakesh Singh to BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad speaks of the need to protect this water body too.